STILLWATER — Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson huddled his players together in the middle of Wednesday’s practice and asked the question that every Cowboy fan would be asking over the next few days after news emerged that receiver Tylan Wallace was out for the season with a torn ACL.

“Who’s gonna play Z?” Gleeson asked, referring to Wallace’s position.

Redshirt junior Dillon Stoner didn’t hesitate.

“He came right to the middle of that sideline huddle and looked me right in the eye and goes, ‘I’m playing Z,’” Gleeson said.

Stoner had two huge touchdown catches that helped the Cowboys to a 34-27 win over TCU Saturday night at Boone Pickens Stadium, capping a gut-punch of a week with one of the most gratifying victories in recent history.

For all the value in Stoner’s 93 receiving yards and two touchdowns provided, his moment stepping to the center of the huddle and accepting the responsibility of filling in for one of the country’s best receivers might have been more important.

It provided a sense of calm in the middle of a vicious storm after Wallace and starting center Johnny Wilson went down with injuries just a few minutes apart.

It allowed the Cowboys to take the field on Saturday knowing they could be themselves. Wallace wouldn’t be out there making spectacular plays, and Wilson wouldn’t be blocking, but the offense didn’t have to change.

“(Coach Mike Gundy) was adamant about it not changing,” Gleeson said. “And I think that gave our guys a shot of energy that just because a couple guys are out, we’re not going to change what we do.”

So they didn’t.

Chuba Hubbard ran wild, with his fourth 200-yard game of the season and the first ever against a Gary Patterson-coached TCU team.

Quarterback Spencer Sanders was efficient and effective, throwing for 158 yards and rushing for 88.

He hit Stoner for a 57-yard touchdown on OSU’s second possession. Then Stoner made a Wallace-like catch in tight coverage while falling to the ground in the end zone for a 22-yard score early in the second quarter.

When OSU had practiced that play on Thursday — a day when the players are only in helmets and shoulder pads, and are rarely going full speed — Gundy saw Stoner make a full dive and snag the ball with one hand. And it reminded Gundy of exactly what type of player was going to be filling Wallace’s spot Saturday.

“I was sitting up there watching him, and I thought, you know, that’s why that kid's special,” Gundy said. “Nobody lays out on Thursdays. He does. He doesn’t care. That’s the kind of young man you have. That’s why he plays the way he plays.”

Starting Wednesday night, Stoner began watching Wallace’s game tape to prepare for the move from his usual inside receiver position to Wallace’s spot on the outside. Stoner knew he couldn’t become Wallace, but he needed to learn the details of Wallace’s routes, his footwork, how he catches the ball,

“There are some things he can do that I’ll never be able to do,” Stoner said. “But I was just trying to learn as much as I could.”

Under Gundy, OSU has won bigger and more important games, but it might not have had such a valuable win for reasons other than simple accomplishment.

Gundy wanted the victory so bad, he jumped on the headset and started making defensive calls in the final minutes.

“I haven’t ever called defenses my career… and it was stuff that we didn’t have,” Gundy said. “I got out of control because I wanted them to win so bad.

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“I was really proud of them as much for this game as any in a long, long time, just learning to stay the course and deal with adversity.”

Oklahoma State's Dillon Stoner (17) runs in a first-quarter touchdown reception en route to a three-catch, 93-yard game Saturday. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman] The Oklahoma State marching band entertains fans at the walk before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy waves to fans as he walks to the stadium during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]The Oklahoma State marching band entertains fans at the walk before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]An OSU fan watches warm ups during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Pistol Pete high fives fans at the walk before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Sean Gleeson, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks, watches warm ups before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]OSU fans cheer during warm ups before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]OSU fans cheer during warm ups before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]BB gets ready before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]OSU fans cheer during warm ups before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Carson Kropp (47) and Brendon Evers (98) celebrate with children from the Coaches vs. Cancer program followig the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) scrambles as TCU's Ross Blacklock (90) and Ochaun Mathis (32) defend in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) is tackled by TCU's Trevon Moehrig (7) and Vernon Scott (26) in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) tries to get by TCU's Innis Gaines (6) in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Dillon Stoner (17) runs for a touchdown after a reception in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State celebrates a Dillon Stoner (17) touchdown in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) rushes for a 62-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) reacts in front o fTCU's Garret Wallow (30) after scoring a 67-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Matt Ammendola (49) kicks a 43-yard field goal as Jake McClure (39) holds in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Matt Ammendola (49) kicks a 43-yard field goal with teammates in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Matt Ammendola (49) kicks a 43-yard field goal with teammates in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Matt Ammendola (49) kicks a 43-yard field goal with teammates in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) reacts in front o fTCU's Garret Wallow (30) after scoring a 67-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) celebrates next to LC Greenwood (80) following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) celebrates following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) reacts in front o fTCU's Garret Wallow (30) after scoring a 67-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Tyler Lacy (89) sacks TCU's Max Duggan (15) in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Jayden Jernigan (42) celebrates a sack on TCU's Mike Collins (10) in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State celebrates a 92-yard touchdown run by Chuba Hubbard (30) in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy greats TCU head coach Gary Patterson following the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Kolby Harvell-Peel (31) returns an interception as TCU's Jalen Reagor (1) defends in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's A.J. Green (4) celebrates in late in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) celebrates his 92-yard touchdown run with Dillon Stoner (17) in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Kolby Harvell-Peel (31) returns an interception as TCU's Jalen Reagor (1) defends in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Tyler Lacy (89) sacks TCU's Max Duggan (15) in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) rushes for a 92-yard touchdown in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Kolby Harvell-Peel (31) intercepts the ball in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) rushes for a 92-yard touchdown as TCU's Jeff Gladney (12) chases him in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Carson Kropp (47) and Brendon Evers (98) celebrate with children from the Coaches vs. Cancer program followig the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Malcolm Rodriguez (20) pressures TCU's Max Duggan (15) in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Jarrick Bernard (24) celebrates an interception with Amen Ogbongbemiga (11) in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) rushes for a 92-yard touchdown as TCU's Jeff Gladney (12) chases him in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Malcolm Rodriguez (20) and Amadou Fofana (97) celebrate a play in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Malcolm Rodriguez (20) celebrates a play in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Jarrick Bernard (24) celebrates an interception in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Jarrick Bernard (24) celebrates an interception in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Malcolm Rodriguez (20) pressures TCU's Max Duggan (15) in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Braydon Johnson (8) reacts after his reception over TCU's Julius Lewis (24) in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]TCU's Garret Wallow (30) tries to bring down Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) throws the ball in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]TCU's Garret Wallow (30) tries to bring down Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) rushes during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) rushes for a 92-yard touchdown as TCU's Jeff Gladney (12) chases him in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy watches the video board during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy runs onto the field before the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Kolby Harvell-Peel (31) tackles TCU's Taye Barber (4) during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Kevin Henry (33) lines up for a play during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Jarrick Bernard (24) and Oklahoma State's Tyler Lacy (89)
celebrate a play during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) gets by TCU's Colt Ellison (44) and Corey Bethley (94) during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders (3) rushes during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State cheerleaders entertain fans during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard (30) rushes for a 62-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]Oklahoma State's Kolby Harvell-Peel (31) lines up for a play during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the TCU Horned Frogs at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. OSU won 34-27. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]

Scott Wright

A lifelong resident of the Oklahoma City metro area, Scott Wright has been on The Oklahoman staff since 2005, covering a little bit of everything on the state's sports scene. He has been a beat writer for football and basketball at Oklahoma and...
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